Barnaby Wright, Wall mounted pebble console table (WORLD 2023)

Photos:

Michael Pawley - @michael.pawley.photographer

Country:

United Kingdom (Great Britain)

Project Brief - The genesis of this project was born from the wave table. The project evolved from the offcuts of the tapered wave. However, instead of a single wave, here they move together from opposite directions, giving the impression of a turbulent sea. The shape of the top is pebble like with different layers running through it. Each layer varies in thicknesses and grain direction, seeking to represent rock strata. The piece is designed not only to be visually interesting but tactile too. It is impossible not to want to run your hand over it – something I would encourage. It feels incredibly smooth to the touch as if worn down over time, much like a pebble. It also invites closer inspection enabling even an untrained eye to understand its laminated construction. The piece is simple yet intriguing and the ripple in the Sycamore adds to this, changing depending on the light and angle the table is viewed from. Construction Process - The wave consists of 18 sheets of European Smoked Oak veneer laminated together using WestSystem and bag pressed over a large mould. This was then cut and finished by hand. The table top is constructed of rippled and quilted Sycamore with four sheets of European Smoked Oak veneer running through the centre. The timber was machined to varying thicknesses and laminated together using WestSystem. The piece is essentially two side rails, two ends and a centre piece with top and bottom jointed boards covering the voids. The voids are filled with insulation foam. The piece was shaped by eye using a grinder and finished by hand sanding. The narrower ends of the wave are attached to the top in an angled mortised rebate. The wave is attached to the underside of the table using dominoes and 4mm steel rods. Rods are also used at the three points where the waves “touch” each other when passing. This gives added strength and rigidity to the wave. A rebate is cut into the back of the pebble to allow for a wall mounted 10mm stainless steel plate with three rods (12mm x 150mm) to be inserted. This enables the piece to be securely fitted to a wall with the plate hidden from view. Both the wave and the top were sealed, cut back and spray lacquered to finish.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.